Canales Acknowledges Dowdle's Rising Role as Panthers Navigate RB Situation
As Rico Dowdle proves himself in the absence of Chuba Hubbard, Coach Dave Canales reflects on the running back dynamics and workload distribution for the Panthers.
Rico Dowdle took the NFL by storm during Chuba Hubbard’s absence due to injury, running for 389 yards as a starter. With Hubbard now back, Coach Dave Canales faces questions about workload distribution. He acknowledged Dowdle’s impressive performance, stating, “Chuba has meant a lot to this organization… but we cannot ignore that Rico has been exceptional.”
In Dowdle’s two games as a starter, he rushed for 522 yards with a 6.7 yard per carry average and one touchdown. Meanwhile, Hubbard, upon his return, has carried the ball significantly less than Dowdle, with 16 attempts generating only 65 yards.
Both players’ performance will shape future decisions on playtime and strategy as the team processes the best way to utilize their talents. “Whether it’s a 70/30 split or 50/50, my focus is on winning,” Hubbard remarked.
